Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice,
Fall Equinox, Winter Solstice,
Four Seasons Award
Background:
An equinox is an astronomical event in which the plane of Earth's
equator passes through the center of the Sun which occurs twice each
year, around 20 March and 23 September. The March equinox is
known as the Vernal Equinox, or, in the northern hemisphere, as the
Spring equinox. The September equinox is known as the Autumnal
equinox, or, in the northern hemisphere, as the Fall equinox.
A Solstice is an astronomical event that occurs twice each year (around
June 21 and December 21) as the Sun reaches its most northerly or
southerly excursion relative to the celestial equator on the celestial
sphere.
The exact time of the equinoxes and solstices can be found here. Please note: The times in this link are Greenwich Mean Time. You must adjust these times to your time zone.
The solstice and equinox rides commemorate these four astronomical events each year.
Read the rules for
the iconic SaddleSore 1000 on the Ironbutt
Association site. The rules for this ride are similar and you
will get valuable background information.
Definitions
- DBR - Dated Business Receipt
- A DBR is a machine generated receipt with the date, time and LOCATION
on it. Check it - do not assume it is correct. A receipt
with an incorrect time/date/location is worthless. Check and
re-check.
- Fees:
-
| Ride | Fee |
|---|
| Spring Equinox | £25 |
| Summer Solstice | £25 |
| Fall Equinox | £25 |
| Winter Solstice | £25 |
| Four Seasons award | £10 |
- Rules for the equinox and solstice rides:
- You may ride any certifiable ride. Most riders choose to ride a
SaddleSore, but some have ridden BBG's, and even a very few have ridden
50cc Quests on each of the four astronomical events to qualify for the Four Seasons 50cc Quest Award!
You must be riding sometime during the date of the solstice or
equinox. Purists choose to be riding at the exact time of the
solstice or equinox.
You'll receive a special certificate for this ride
- Rules for the Four Seasons Award:
- You
must earn the same type of certified ride for each of the four
astronomical events. The four rides need not occur on consecutive
astronomical events, and your qualifying rides may span more than one
year.
- Documentation for the Four
Seasons Award:
- Send copies of your certificates for the rides on each of the
astronomical events along with your ride application and fee
payment. If you have not yet received a certificate for one of
your claimed rides, please note that in the application.
Spotwalla track
is strongly recommended but not
required.
- Merchandise:
- There is no additional merchandise for this ride.